It is likely this top lift motor is located on the passenger side of the car, under the rear seat. It's located in the floorboard area. The reservoir should be made of an opaque plastic with a metal screw in filler plug directly on top. There will be two lines molded into the plastic. Fluid level should be maintained between these two lines.It is likely this top lift motor is located on the passenger side of the car, under the rear seat. It's located in the floorboard area. The reservoir should be made of an opaque plastic with a metal screw in filler plug directly on top. There will be two lines molded into the plastic. Fluid level should be maintained between these two lines.

1 Suggested Answer

Hi,
A 6ya expert can help you resolve that issue over the phone in a minute or two.
Best thing about this new service is that you are never placed on hold and get to talk to real repairmen in the US.
The service is completely free and covers almost anything you can think of (from cars to computers, handyman, and even drones).click here to download the app (for users in the US for now) and get all the help you need. Good luck!

Tell us some more! Your answer needs to include more details to help people.You can't post answers that contain an email address.Please enter a valid email address.The email address entered is already associated to an account.Login to postPlease use English characters only.

Related Questions:

Hey, did you ever find the answer to this question. I have the exact same car and think the relay might be broken. Fuses are all good and the motor works when a 12v battery is hooked up. If you can tell me where the relay is, please let me know!
Thanks
Max

Almost all power convertible tops are electric over hydraulic. The ecectric motor runs a hydraulic pump. The pump pushes fluid to the cylinders that work the top. Most are located behind the rear seat backrest. Either remove the rear backrest or access the motor/pump from the trunl. It will be shaped like a cylinder. At one is the electric motor, at the other end is the hydraulic reservoir. At the end of the reservoir is a rubber plug. With the top down, remove the plug and fill it with tran fluid till it over flows. replace the plug and cycle the top up and down as far as it will go. Repeat the process till it will take no more fluid. A turkey baster with a piece of vacuum line makes a good filler tool. With that said, you must find the leak. You may have a leaking pump, hydraulic line or cylinder. RNever replace one line. Do them all. Always replace cylinders in pairs.

The most common reason for this is low hydraulic fluid.
The noise is probably the pump running while empty.
When fluid id present it dampens that noise.
Behind the rear seat is the combination motor/pump/reservoir.
With the top in the DOWN position, fill the reservoir with ATF and cycle the system a few times as far as it will go.
Repeat until the reservoir will take no more fluid.
If that works, it is only a patch fix.
You must now inspect the lines, motor and cylinders for leaks.
The fluid does not evaporate. If it is low, you have a leak.
Karl at topgunwon.com

It is not an inexpensive problem to repair. Its probably low on fluid wich means it has a leak in one of the top rams or it could also be the drive gear in the pump motor which can be repaired if one is crafty. look in trunk, forward rail 2 holes one for light 1 for fluid level. Con you hear motor running?

To check the oil level open the boot - at the very back remove the 4 plastic clips that hold the carpet in place. Slightly to the left of the center there are 2 holes - shine a light in the bottom and look through the top one to check the level.
To add oil - fold down the seat backrest. Remove the plastic trim - held on by 4 screws and 2 pop out plastic cllips.
Undo the 8 large bolts that hold the cover in place - 2 on top and 3 on front and back.Then lift up the cover from the front edge. You will then be able to get to the resevoir - you will need a funnel to poor fluid in.

This happenrd to me the first few times after filling the tank. When the roof stops push the switch to up then back until movement stops then go back to down, eventually it will get rid of all the air in the system and the roof should start to work.

Your tonneau motor is probably bad, though reprogramming the limits may fix it. You will need the factory tool, unfortunately. There is a lot of information on this webpage. Be sure to read the information relating to updates on 1995 models.

The 94-98 Saab 900 cars have numerous top issues that are known. The
primary issue is the design of the convertible top Tonneau motor that
is located in the right rear quarter panel behind the light. The
problem with the original motors was that there was not enough strength
in the housing that held the motor to support the top movement because
the teeth on the gear drive would get chewed up when the motor moved
out of position. The failure of the Tonneau motor causes the top to
chatter about half way up or down because the teeth of the motor gears
would get chipped off. Replacement of the gears or replacement of the
motor is the only repair and the convertible top Control module must be
programmed after the repair by someone with a Saab Tech 2 computer tool
which is used to program the top potentiometer settings. If you catch this problem early enough it can be repaired by using the bracket reinforcement kit.Check
latches is also a common failure which displays on the Saab Information
Display (SID) Generally, this failure is due to problems with the
micro-switch located in the latches that secure the convertible top
when up.Another issue with the convertible tops has been the
control module that controls the top electronically. The major problem
with this is device is that it looses the ability to communicate with
the Saab tech 2 tools. This problem appears to have been solved in
the newest versions of the ECM.This TSB covers the known issues with NG 900 vert tops. There are numerous others for the 9-3 tops.